What Is Network Sniffing?
Network sniffing is a method of using specialized hardware and software to access information that isn’t being sent to someone or analyzing networks to which individuals don’t have legitimate access. Most sniffers work by analyzing data packets. Depending on which type of network sniffing is being used, the sniffer can read these packets both inside and outside a network. While network sniffing does have several legitimate uses, it is generally associated with the hacking community. After information is sent over a network, it is broken up into packets. These packets contain a small amount of the information, the addresses of the receiver and sender and some technical data. Specialized hardware or software can intercept and copy these packets. Once she has a copy, a user is able to open the packet and read the information and addresses.
